See more of our coverage in your search results.
Raise a glass to being dead last.
New Yorkers have no plans to put down the bottle during one of the biggest drinking months of the year — despite the rest of the country trying out Sober October, according to a survey.
Pausing the party is not an option in the Empire State — so much so that New York ranked last in a nationwide poll on the month-long abstinence trend, Oar Health revealed Thursday.
“Sober October doesn’t really exist in New York. September has been our busiest month of the year, and that’s a great indicator of how October is going to go,” said Phil Zelonky, a partner at Sirrah in the Meatpacking District.
October has traditionally been a party month for the Big Apple, with the bastardized version of Oktoberfest already in full swing from its September kickoff and running right through Halloween.
The 1-liter steins and never-ending costume opportunities could be why just 16% of New Yorkers statewide pledged to participate in Sober October this year, compared to an average rate of 26% nationally, the survey found.
Even the handful of temporary teetotalers are only willing to take on the challenge half-heartedly — with just 41% saying they’d go completely dry for the entire month.
That’s a far cry from the 41% of South Carolinians promising to give up booze for the next 30 days.
But New Yorkers say they hadn’t even heard of the growing trend, which rivals the new-year-new-me version dubbed Dry January.
Only 23% of drinkers in New York said they are familiar with Sober October, putting the state dead last when it comes to awareness.
But the findings shouldn’t come as a shock in the city that never sleeps, according to those in the nightlife scene.
Miguel Munoz, the bar director for Renwick Hospitality, called October a “hot spot” for drinkers, especially those looking to explore seasonal craft cocktails after a summer of spritzes.
“October is the window when we get the drinking crowd,” said Munoz.
“People are drinking less in general, yes, but October is the door to the busy season.”
